Hello everyone! I know I should be working on The Dragon Slayers, and A Pokemon Fairy Tail, AND Can we be more? , and I also said I would wait until around September to post this, but I just HAD to get it out! It's been driving me nuts!

NUTS I TELL YOU!

Anyways, here's the preview, in case you didn't read it at the end of the third chap of Can we be more?


"There's going to be an attack? When?" said a blonde haired woman.

"All I know is that it'll happen soon. I suggest you say your prayers. They intend to eliminate Fairy Tail this time."

"Not if I can help it. Thank you, Ms. Spetto."

"Of course, Layla. Be careful."

Layla pulled the hood of her cloak back to the top of her head as she headed back the way she came… to the forest outside the city limits.

She had to warn Makarov. And get the Keys to a safe location… but if Ms. Spetto was right… she wouldn't get the chance to...

Layla began running as soon as she was in the cover of trees, gracefully avoiding branches and roots as she made her way home.

As soon as she made it to the clearing, she ran as fast as she could to Makarov.

"We need to evacuate."

"What do you mean, Layla?" the older man asked her.

She then noticed he was in a meeting.

"My source told me they intend to strike soon. Enough to obliterate all of Fairy tail and then some."

He pondered it for a mere moment before he agreed and began informing all in attendance to get everyone in the clearing out of there.

It was midnight when it happened. A little over half of the Fairy Tail children and few parents had made it out, along with the Keeper, Healer, and Master. The elders, deathly ill, and those who couldn't make it out in time remained.

Layla and Jude Heartfilia, along with their infant daughter, were a few of those unlucky people.

The blonde woman had just sent her Keys off into the world, hiding them and keeping them safe. The small family was about to leave when a large group of soldiers ransacked their home, killing Jude instantly, and trying to torture information out of Layla.

The Master and the Keeper had placed a charm over the homes of Fairy Tail ages ago. If any soldiers of the King's Army were to come into the homes, all members of that home would forget everything about Fairy Tail and the magic they possessed. Realizing this, the Army simply slaughtered all that were left, leaving the extremely young children unharmed. However, many children had already escaped. Only one had been found.

Layla watched … as she took her last breath … her daughter was taken from her crib … and out of their home. She screamed in agony and the loss of her daughter … forever...

xxXXxx

So with that, here's the first chapter! Hope you like!


Chapter 1

I have to get out of here… now… tonight...

As I packed what little belongings I had, I quietly yet swiftly made my way to the back door - my best chance of escape from these people.

Once I got to the backyard, I lifted myself up and over the fence… to face the dark forest at the edges of the city. With determination and adrenaline pumping through my veins, I made my way into the trees. It wasn't long before I realized that I had seriously underestimated my ability to see at night.

That was when I heard the rustling.

Jerking around, I saw three people standing in a fighting position, stalking towards me...

"W-who are y-you?" I asked the strangers.

"We should be asking you that question," said the green-haired male.

"What are you doing in the forest alone? And at night?" said the blue-haired male.

"What is your name?" said the red-headed female.

I blinked rapidly at their questions… they were acting like I was the threat… not the other way around… who are these people? Two of them had swords at their side, while the blue-haired male had some weird cloak thing covering most of his features.

"I-I'm Lucy… Lucy Ashley… I-I've just r-run away from m-my parents… I-I've got nowhere to g-go…"

"Did you come from within the city limits?" said the female.

Too afraid what my voice would do, I nodded.

"So you have no where to go in the city? No other family?"

"I-I was adopted…"

There was a short silence until the blue-haired man asked, "How old are you?"

"S-seventeen… I think… with the birthday the Council gave me, I turn eighteen in a few months."

Silence again.

"Have you ever been to a specialist of some kind? Gotten a shot anywhere?"

Huh? What kind of question was that?

"U-um… once… when I was t-thirteen… I was taken to the doctor for being unable to sleep… they gave me a shot in my arm… it didn't r-really help though…"

The three of them looked at each other, then back at me.

"Do you ever plan to return to them?"

"N-no!" I said a little too quickly, even for my own liking.

I felt the shadow cross my face as I said, looking at the ground, "I will never go back to them… even if I was forced to go back… never again…"

Another pause. Then the female said, "Then don't be alarmed by what we are about to do."

This made me look up at her, confusion evident on my face. "What do you mean…?"

"That shot you received when you were younger was not something to help you sleep. It was a tracker. And we must remove it before they realize you have gone missing. However, I must warn you. It will hurt."

I looked at my arm that I received the shot in, then faced my right arm to them and turned my face away as I pointed with my left hand where I had received the shot specifically.

After a moment, the green-haired man pulled out a device and came to me. As he neared, it started beeping incessantly and stayed at a continuous ring as he held it above the spot I was pointing at.

I dropped my hand and waited for the pain. Thankfully, I didn't wait long. It was nothing compared to other things I've gone through, but it still hurt. It was over quickly, the only indication I felt it being my sharp intake of breath.

I looked over to my arm again to see the green haired man no longer there, instead the blue-haired man was bandaging my 'wound'.

"Many would have cried out with something like that, Lucy Ashley," the red-head said.

I ignored her statement and said, "I let you guys cut into me. The least you could do is tell me your names."

The blue-haired man quirked a brow, a ghost of a smile on his lips, amusement in his eyes.

The green-haired man stayed away, but was also hiding a smile.

The red-haired woman showed no emotion until she spoke.

"My name is Erza Scarlet. These are my comrades, Jellal Fernandez," she pointed to the man still standing to my right, "and Freed Justine," she looked over her shoulder to the man named Freed.

"We… are mages of Fairy Tail."

My eyes widened. Of course, being in the city, I had heard stories of this rogue clan of mages and others - Fairy Tail being the most prominent, as their camp was too close to city limits for people's comfort. But they seemed nothing like the stories of ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

"F-fairy Tail…?"

Erza nodded, her eyes closed, "I assume you believe us to be killers?"

My response was not immediate, trying to figure out the best way to explain my thoughts.

"Not really, no."

This made Erza open her eyes and look at me, as well as Freed and Jellal.

"All the stories… seemed a little, I don't know… farfetched? Besides… if you were ruthless killers, you would've killed me as soon as you saw me, not allow me to be invisible to the Council's eyes."

Erza's eyebrows quivered in disbelief, Jellal was shocked, and Freed stared at me.

"Then its settled," Erza said after a moment.

"What is?" I asked, a bit confused.

"You're coming with us to Fairy Tail."


I was still shocked. I was going to meet Fairy Tail. I had heard stories of them. How they would kill all of the King's soldiers who crossed their path and then some, and how they would kill women and children and burn homes and villages to the ground. But I always doubted the stories, even if I never showed it. I learned the hard way to keep my mouth shut where my thoughts were concerned a long time ago. It just seemed… unlikely, that people who were just trying to survive were killing people for the fun of it.

As the four of us made our way through the forest, I noticed a ravine, followed closely by a small clearing. Erza stepped through a hole, impossible to see unless you knew it was there. Jellal went next, then Freed allowed me to go before him.

After we came out on the other side, Erza, Jellal, and Freed formed a type of triangle around me. Erza on my right, Jellal on my left, with Freed following behind.

"Master!" Erza called out once we reached the large rock/cave formation at the edge of the clearing.

A short old man came out, followed by a blue-haired girl who looked to be about my age, with an older woman with pink hair.

"What is it, Erza? Who is this with you?" he said, gesturing to me.

This had drawn everyone's attention as whispers were heard around the clearing.

"This is Lucy Ashley. We found her at the edge of the city limits."

"The city limits? Have you gone mad, Erza?" shouted a pink-haired boy.

"No, Natsu, I have not. Lucy ran from home. She doesn't belong there."

"Did she tell you this?" asked the Master.

"Yes."

"How do you know she is not lying? You of all people, Erza, know better than to trust so easily!"

Erza closed her eyes, as I could feel the irritation and annoyance rolling off her in waves.

"Enough!" she yelled out.

This quieted everyone very quickly, including the Master. I felt my heart rate speed up to an unhealthy pace, slowly yet surely becoming erratic as I tried to suddenly heavy eyelids open and listen to Erza.

"She has proven herself to not be a spy! Isn't that right, Freed?" she said as she turned to him.

The man nodded and said, "When she wasn't looking, I created a Rune around her that forces her to tell the truth of any question we ask. Her answers were by far the most heartfelt anyone from within the city could've spoken about Fairy Tail."

I then felt the blood drain from my face as every part of my body grew suddenly cold.

"Lucy…? Are you alright?" Jellal asked with what sounded like concern lacing his voice. I honestly couldn't tell. His voice sounded too far away…

Black spots started to form in my vision, steadily blocking out all light like I was being enveloped in a tunnel when I felt my muscles in my legs give way and buckle.

"Lucy!"


As I came to, groaning in the process, I felt as though I had been hit by a truck.

My eyes opened to see a young blue-haired girl standing over me.

She squeaked when she noticed my eyes on her and left the room.

I'm not that scary, am I?

Trying to shake the cobwebs from my brain, I sat up from the bed I was laying in.

A moment later, the old man, pink-haired woman, and blue-haired girl my age from earlier came in, along with Erza and a few others I didn't recognize.

The pink-haired woman came over to me and began to examine me.

The old man introduced himself as the Master of the clan, named Makarov Dreyar. He was still cautious around me though, as were the rest. Like I would attack them at any given moment.

And for some reason… I felt a loss of hope. I don't even know where the possibility of hope came from… but it still hurts...

Erza seemed to notice as she said, "How can you believe she would attack you? Especially now? Lucy can barely walk, let alone hurt you. Introduce yourselves properly. All of you." she glared at a couple of the guys in particular as she said the last sentence. A blonde haired man with a scar across his eye, and a raven haired boy - who was shirtless - with a sword necklace and a girl clinging to his arm. Amazingly he didn't seem to mind...

The white-haired girl - who was gorgeous - stopped staring, smiled, and introduced herself.

"Sorry about that. We've had a few issues with new people. My name is Mirajane. But you can call me Mira, if you like."

I nodded as the pink-haired woman was still examining me.

Then the blue-haired girl from before introduced herself, "I'm Levy, the Keeper. I hope you get better soon."

After that, she took her leave.

The raven-haired boy introduced himself, followed by the girl on his arm.

"I'm Gray, and this is Juvia."

"Juvia will not allow Love Rival to steal Gray-sama from Juvia!" she said as she buried her head into Gray's shoulder.

"U-ummm… okay…" I said, slightly confused.

Erza glared one last time at the blonde-haired man before he introduced himself as Laxus Dreyar.

"You already know me," Erza said, "The woman working on you is Porlyusica, and the young girl with the blue hair who left earlier is Wendy."

Before she can say anything else, Porlyusica said, "You need to eat. Now."

This raised eyebrows across the room except mine. I nodded solemnly in response.

"Why? Is that what caused her to collapse before?" Mira asked.

"No."

This caused more confusion.

"She is severely stressed and malnourished. I need to get Wendy in here to heal some of her wounds, quickly."

With this, Porlyusica took her leave to retrieve Wendy.

Erza looked to me, a shocked look on her face. It mirrored everyone else's.

I took a deep breath clenching my hands until my knuckles and nail-beds turned white.

"That's the reason why I refuse to return to my so-called parents."

The others - excluding Erza - were shocked.

"Your parents starved you?" Gray asked.

I didn't respond. No one asked anymore questions.

Wendy came in shortly after and began healing most of the wounds I had.

My thoughts were still locked in my past. So much so, that I didn't notice a tear forming until it dropped onto my hand. When I did notice, it was as if the floodgates had been opened. I couldn't stop my tears as they continued to fall, no matter how much I wanted them to stop.

Erza moved to the bed and sits down across from Wendy and handed me a handkerchief, which I gladly accepted as I tried my best to dry my still crying eyes.

Once Wendy is finished and leaves the room - promising to be back later - Mirajane takes Wendy's place and sits next to me. She wrapped her arm around me and began rubbing slow, comforting circles on my back, steadily soothing my crying.

After a moment of this, Mirajane pulls my head to rest on her shoulder as the rest of my tears begin to run out.

Once I was left with nothing but small hiccups, I fell into the most comfortable sleep I'd had in years.


Erza's POV

After Lucy fell asleep, the rest of us took our conversation outside, where we asked Wendy - who was mixing some herbs - to look after her should she wake up.

"Do you all see now?"

A few nods went around the group of team leaders.

I sighed.

"Master. Lucy has no where else to go. She herself told me that she wouldn't go back even if she was dragged there. And being adopted, she has no family she can run to. Before the war, we would've accepted her in a heartbeat. I understand everyone's precaution towards her, but she needs our help."

I was trying to tell them that even if we didn't allow her to stay, she would still live in the forest - or anywhere other than in the city.

Master sighed as well. "I realize this. But where can she go? We don't even know if she has magic."

"That never stopped Kinana," I reminded him.

"Aye… but does she even want to stay? After such a warm welcome?"

"I have a feeling that she's felt more welcome here than she has in her own home, Master," Mira said to him.

Master was deep in thought as he continued to wonder what to do about Lucy Ashley.

"We could always test her," Laxus said.

We looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Once she gains enough strength, of course. But we could use the test on her."

"But that is cruel to put someone without magic through that test."

"It's not like it harms them, Mira. It's just… incredibly boring."

"And the person is left with a migraine," I added.

Laxus nodded in agreement.

Makarov agrees to this.

"Until then… where will she stay? Many people in Fairy Tail refuse her."

This left them wondering.

Laxus' team wasn't a good choice. They tended to be a bit… cruel… in their training and living ways.

Mira's might be, but with Elfman and Bixlow on the team… perhaps not...

Gray and Juvia's team was also a possibility, but with Juvia claiming everyone was a love rival… again, perhaps not.

Then my thoughts turned to my own team. Jellal and Freed had already accepted Lucy. And she didn't need a particular type of magic - or any magic at all - to be on our team.

"I will need to ask Jellal and Freed, but if they agree - of which I have no doubt - we will accept Lucy."

Master looked at me with an eyebrow raised in question, but then agreed.

"Fine. You and the others will take care of Lucy. I have no doubt she will do well with the three of you."

"What?!"

That voice sounds rather familiar...

I went around the corner with the others to find the clan - and Natsu, who made the exclamation - listening in on our conversation.

"Gramps, you can't be serious! You're letting one of them stay with us?!" Natsu exclaimed angrily.

"Enough, Natsu!"

This quieted him, out of respect or fear of consequences I'm not sure. Probably both.

"I have made my decision, and so have the other team leaders. They will explain the situation better in the team meeting you all are about to have."

I left Master's side to see Jellal and Freed.

"I have decided to allow Lucy in our team when she is able. Are you both alright with this?"

They looked from me, to each other, and back to me. Then both of them nodded.

"Good."


Dragon Team's POV

"What did Gramps mean, Laxus? And why are we letting her in? Wasn't it just last month we had a spy?!" said the black-haired man with piercings known as Gajeel.

"For once, I agree with you Metal Brows. What is Gramps thinking about letting her into our clan?" Natsu said as he looked to Laxus, the leader of the team called Dragons. Its not very catchy - or creative - but it works since all members are Dragon Slayers.

Laxus sighed, his eyes closed, head bowed and arms crossed as he waited for Wendy to return.

When she did, he said, "And what are your thoughts on Lucy?"

This stopped the other two as she explains how her magic not only heals, but tells her how and when the damage was caused so she could treat it better.

The three older slayers' brows rose in question as she continued by telling them that all of Lucy's injuries came from a range of yesterday, to ten years ago.

This got their attention.

Wendy goes on to explain the extent of Lucy's injuries – a couple of fractured ribs from a few hard kicks to the gut, a once broken wrist – that didn't quite heal like it was supposed to – many bruises to her throat… and that was only the most recent of her injuries.

Wendy finished by saying, "So you see… she's already been through a lot. Anything we'd do to her would be nothing compared to what she's been through her whole life."

This made Natsu and Gajeel rethink their earlier position. They still weren't happy with letting one of them in their clan, but agreed Lucy would probably rather live in the wild alone than go back there.


Lucy's POV

When I woke up again, I found Erza, Jellal, and Freed waiting for me to wake up.

"Lucy. How are you feeling? Better?" Erza asked in a motherly tone.

I nodded. While I still felt like crap, I did feel better than before.

"Good. I have a question I'd like to ask you."

She didn't give me a chance to respond before she said, "How would you like to join Fairy Tail? And be on my team?"

"J-join Fairy Tail? Be on y-your team…?"

Just then, Levy walked in and said, "It would probably help if you explained some things to her first Erza."

"Why don't you do it Levy?" Jellal said, "You tend to explain it a bit better anyways."

"Okay. So, in Fairy Tail there are four teams. You don't have to be in a team, but it makes going on missions and well, living in general easier. The strongest team is Laxus' Dragons. All four of them are Dragon Slayers. Then its closely followed by Mirajane's team, Souls. After that, there is Gray and Juvia's team, Elements. In 'last' place is um… Erza's team… Knights… b-but its not their fault! They recently lost a member, so they've been off balance ever since!" Levy was quick to add that last bit, but the damage was already done. Erza's head hung in shame as Jellal tried to comfort her. Freed was emotionless as always.

"So… what do you say? Wanna join the Knights?" Levy asked with optimism.

"Sure. I don't know if I have any magic, though…"

"Don't worry about that, Lucy. On this team, you don't need to worry about if you have magic or not," Erza quickly said.

"Oh… okay… then, I'd love to join Fairy Tail and the Knights!" I said, happily.

Levy nodded and brought out the stamps.

"Unfortunately, due to the war, you won't get a choice for where to put the Fairy Tail mark, or the Knights mark…" Levy said sadly.

She put Fairy Tail's mark above my left breast, and the Knights mark on my right upper arm, both quickly fading into my skin.

"Don't worry. It always happens. It'll only reveal the mark when its truly safe to, or if its power is required."

"Power? What do you mean?"

"Oh! I can't believe I forgot! Each mark from the teams has a power behind it. The Dragons' mark increases the bearer's power when fighting alongside another Dragon bearer. The Element's mark allows easier fusion of the elements, making it easier and quicker to do a Unison Raid. The Soul's mark allows it to temporarily borrow magic from another bearer. And I actually don't know what the Knights' mark does - and that's saying something, since I'm supposed to know everything there is to know about Fairy Tail - but apparently its something only the bearer and the Master are supposed to know. Anyway, each team has their own home location and training areas that only allow those people inside. It also keeps it hidden from anyone who is not a member of either Fairy Tail or the team."

Erza thanked Levy as she made her way out, said girl saying her goodbyes.

Freed then got up and sealed the cave with his magic runes, keeping out any prying eyes or ears.

"How'd you do that?" I asked Freed.

"I'll tell you another time. Right now is the time to talk about our team."

I nodded and waited for them to explain.

Jellal began by saying, "The Knights tattoo will reveal itself to team members, the Master, and loved ones of the team members - and by loved ones, I mean you're married our fated to this person - only under normal circumstances. However, should the bearer run out of magical energy – and is fighting a serious enemy in life-threatening circumstances, this mark takes the energy and magic from the surrounding area and releases a powerful blast, wiping out all enemies within a mile's radius, and leaves all allies unscathed."

"Whoa… that is… awesome!"

Jellal chuckled, as did the others at my reaction.

Then Erza told me their team names.

She is Titania – known as the Fairy Queen in wartimes, Jellal is Storm, and Freed is Code.

They decided to hold off on giving me a team name, as they do not know if I possess magic yet.

Freed then released his runes and went to get the four of us something to eat.

He comes back a minutes later with a few plates of food and a couple slices of cake for Erza.

I was happy. For the first time in a long time. I actually… can't remember the last time I was this happy...

After we finished eating, they left me to rest in the infirmary - per Porlyusica's order that I stay in the infirmary for at least one night - and so they went home.

I curled up in my makeshift bed, wrapping the covers tightly around my body, feeling the cold seep into the room, and I quickly succumbed to sleep.


So what did you think? I thought it was pretty good, honestly, but hey, maybe I'm wrong. And for the Guest who reviewed on the preview in Can we be more?, I'm sorry for the bit of Hurt/Comfort in this chapter, but after this - as this is the chapter that sets the story and the characters - there will be little to none after this, okay? I hope everyone liked! And wow, look how many words! Just over 4,500! Whew! Lots of writing in this chapter!

Please review with thoughts/criticism/things I can improve, etc.!

Thanks everybody!

-FairyTailFanGirlie